Hierarchical dimensions of coping styles: A study conducted with Turkish university students

An empirical examination was carried out of the hierarchical dimensions of coping styles in a Turkish sample. Ways of coping data were collected from 194 university students, subjected to factor analysis and 5 factors were obtained. These factors were subjected to second-order factor analysis which revealed 3 main dimensions. As predicted the first 2 dimensions were problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping. The third dimension consisted of items related to seeking social support, implying the presence and importance of an indirect coping style. In addition to construct validity, Guttman split-half reliability and criterion validity of these 3 higher order factors revealed good reliability and validity outcomes. It was also emphasized that these 3 higher order factors constituted independent dimensions of coping styles. Implications of the results are discussed.